1) What is the Apple ///?
2) What are the ///'s Capabilities?
3) What About Its Built-In Features?
4) What About SOS - The ///'s Operating System?
5) Is My Apple /// Still Useful Today?
6) What Other Hardware/Software do I need?
7) What's This about SOS?
8) What is BOS3?
9) What About Emulation Mode?
10) Where do I find Information about the ///?
11) Where Can I Find Public Domain Software?
12) Are There Still Sources for Hardware and Commercial Software?
13) Where Can I Get my Apple /// Repaired?
14) What about an outboard Power Supply for the ///?
15) Are There Any Apple /// Newsletters or Magazines?
16) What about Apple /// Books?
17) What about Technical Materials?
18) What Kind of Communications Software is Available?
19) What about Modems?
20) Can the /// access the Internet?
21) What Does it Take to Surf the Internet with the ///?
22) What was the Apple /// Software Development Fund?
23) Are There Any Specific Apple /// Web Sites?
24) What's new with the ///?
25) OK - I'm Stumped - What is a SARAsaur?

1):WHAT IS THE APPLE ///?

The Apple /// (code name: SARA- after the daughter of one of
the developers) was the first computer ever designed from the
ground-up by Apple Computer as a company. It included many of the
"extras" one had to buy separately for the Apple //: an
80 column card, a serial card, larger memory, etc. In addition,
it came with the most advanced operating system for small
computers of its day: SOS or the Sophisticated Operating System.
It was so good, in fact, that Apple later based its ProDos
Operating System for the Apple //e, //c and GS on SOS. The
Macintosh's HFS, or Heirarchical Filing System was also based on
a similar system that was part of SOS.

Design work on the Apple /// started in late 1978 under the
guidance of Dr. Wendell Sander.

It was designed by committee - and no one could really decide
what they wanted the /// to be. It had to be a business computer
that would replace the Apple II. They agreed it would have an
emulation capability, but not completely. It would have a new,
more powerful operating system - which meant it was incompatible
with the older Apple II software except in the stilted emulation
mode. Few developers came on board to start - they were too busy
working on Apple II products and Apple did little to ensure there
would be new software packages to start. It had no fan and like
the II, its keyboard was attached to the case. It was heavy. And
Dr. Sander and his fellow developers were under orders to get it
out the door quickly. This was, in total, a prescription for
disaster.

The Apple /// was officially introduced at the National
Computer Conference in May, 1980. Because the machine was never
properly tested there were almost immediate problems when
shipments of SARA started in the Fall .

Of primary concern: the chips would pop out of their sockets
after only a few hours (primarily due to heat). This led to the
famous "two-inch drop" where owners would pick their
machine up and drop it two inches to reseat the chips. Such a
short-term solution was not totally satisfactory, however, and
Apple ended up replacing every main circuit ("mother")
board. (In fact, Apple's policy through June, 1981 was immediate
replacement - no questions asked.)

And there were other problems - a promised built-in
clock/calendar chip did not work and there was very little
software (people complained "I spent $4000+ and got Visicalc
and a paperweight!")

The problems hurt Apple's reputation. By December, 1981 Apple
"reintroduced" the Apple III -- a revamped system with
all or most of the serious problems gone. But the damage had
already been done. The IBM PC was introduced in August, 1981 -
between the old III and the "fixed" III. And while the
PC did not meet immediate acceptance, it was helped along by the
///s problems.

With the Lisa already out and the Macintosh in development,
Apple was unsure what to do about the ///. The company finally
decided to release an updated version, the Apple III Plus - but
it did not hit dealer's shelves until December 1983. The /// Plus
had a new //e-style keyboard and a few other upgrades (power
supply/video interlace) and was problem-free. Yet the entire
Apple /// line was discontinued only four months later! All in
all, some 100,000 machines were actually built.

Here's a visual timeline graph to make things clear. Note that
each notch in the graph represents two months.

1)Arranged in a strictly traditional typewriter layout.
2)Sculptured, stepped and angled keys.
3)Numeric key pad. Recognized differently from main keyboard.
4)Software definable character set. Can be used for graphics.
5)All characters used by programming languages.
6)Dedicated cursor or arrow keys.
7)Two-key method to boot a disk without powering on and off.
8)Alpha lock key. Shift locks alphabetical keys only.
9)The entire ASCII code.
10) Automatic repeat for all keys and the speed can be tripled.
11) Can print 224 distinct characters.
12) Little bumps on D, K and 5 keys for finger positioning.
13) Numeric keypad can be redefined into 12 special function
keys.
14) Dvorak American simplified Keyboard available on file.
15) 128 byte type ahead buffer.
16) Many different fonts available on file.
17) Character set can be changed under program control at any
time.
18) Up to 13 control keys.
19) Computer "ON" light.
20) Two system keys, Closed and Open Apple keys redefine others.
21) 73 total keys.

The Apple /// at the end of the 20th Century has become a
collectors item. Despite all its problems, it remains an
excellent text-based computer with software that allows it to do
many basic computing chores. It still has one of the best
keyboards ever made for a computer. It can do basic word
processing, spread sheet work and even communications. It remains
useful if you do not need a graphical-based computer system. The
price is certainly right. Units that once sold for more than
$4000 can today be had at very low cost. Profile drives are
nearing the end of their useful life but can still be had for
little or nothing. Consider they cost $1000.00 new. There is
ample software available from Washington Apple Pi's public domain
library and other commercial programs are sold by users on an on-
going basis. As with any computing machine, the bottom line here
is: Can the machine do the basic things you need it to do? For
some folks at least, given the low cost of both hardware and
software, the answer is still yes.

6) WHAT OTHER HARDWARE/SOFTWARE DO I NEED TO MAKE MY /// A
COMPLETE SYSTEM?

a) A second 5.25 inch disk drive. It speeds up your work
considerably, makes it easier to load and save data, etc. The ///
can also use the: 1.4 MB Apple II Superdrive and 800k Unidisk
(using Apple // interface cards and On Three drivers) and many
hard disks (Profiles and SCSI). On Three sold a Universal SCSI
driver from On in 1996 that, with the proper interface card,gave
/// users access to the Syquest EZ Drive and just about all
SCSI-based hard drives (one notable exception is the Iomega ZIP
Drive).

c) /// EZ Pieces. This is an excellent integrated software
program that is easy to learn and use. Its files are also
compatible with the Apple // version called AppleWorks. (3APL-07)

d) Printer. The kind is up to you within certain limits. You
can run a printer off of the RS232 port in the back of the /// or
by using a Serial or Parallel card you plug into one of the four
slots internally. To connect your serial printer to the /// you
will need what is called a Null-Modem cable. Local computer
dealers and national chains like Radio Shack sell them. You will
also need specific device drivers you have to install in your
SOS.DRIVER file using System Utilities. WAP has a disk full of
/// drivers (3SYS-07). The /// can print to laserprinters (with
serial ports) as well as dot matrix, but does not have access to
inkjet printers (no drivers!).

As mentioned earlier, the Apple /// uses an operating system
called SOS, or Sophisticated Operating System. It is entirely
ram-based. That means every time you load an application, it
loads the operating system as well. You will find three files on
all program disks: SOS.Kernel; SOS.Interp and SOS.Driver. The
KERNEL is the operating system itself. You want to make sure you
have the latest version: 1.3. You can tell what version you have
when you boot up. You will see a message that tells you the
version along with the Apple copyright. You can get an auto-
upgrade disk from WAP - ask for disk 3SYS-01.

The INTERP file is the language the program uses or it may be
the program itself. Applewriter, Basic and Pascal are examples of
SOS.Interp files you will find. Finally, the DRIVER file
(SOS.Driver) contains the drivers that enable the /// to talk
with your printer, disk drives, modem and hard disk properly. At
the minimum you will need the console driver, called
".Console" and you might find others:
".Printer" to drive your printer; ".RS232"
operates the RS232 port or a serial card for telecommunications;
".Audio" lets your /// beep and play music to you;
".Grafix" is the graphics driver. There are many more.
You install these using the System Configuration Program on the
System Utilities disk. In most instances, you want to make sure
you have the 1.3 versions of the drivers installed (WAP /// SIG
SOS Drivers PD disk: 3SYS-07)

8)WHAT IS BOS3?

BOS3 is a wonderful upgrade to SOS, released in December,
1994. Developed by Bob Consorti, it was financed entirely by the
Apple /// community (the Software Development Fund). BOS3 adds a
tremendous number of capabilities to the /// with a hard disk.
They include an easy to set-up and use menu system, disk caching,
password protection, screen saver, macro capability to run
programs with just two keystrokes and compatibility with Selector
/// pathnames. Contact WAP for more information about BOS3 at
301-984-0300 or email to office@wap.org.

9) WHAT ABOUT EMULATION MODE?

Your /// can operate as-is in an emulation mode to make it
think it's a 48k Apple //+ (WAP has the emulation software: Disk
3EMM-01). Titan made a ///+// card for the /// you might also be
able to find - it increased memory up to 128K in //+ emulation
and offered a RAM disk in native mode.

You might also be on the lookout at computer garage sales for
the "Titan ///+//e" - a set of two-cards that turns
your /// into a 128k //e. You'll want to add a 65c802 CPU (in
place of the 6502) to ensure compatibility with newer Apple //
programs (it has no effect on native mode applications). The
cards offer a RAM disk in native mode as well. (WAP has a
wonderful set of RAM drivers for these cards - disk 3DAD-10).

10) WHERE DO I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLE ///?

* /// USER GROUPS

A user group is a great way to obtain more information about
the Apple ///. Members are knowledgable, ready to answer
questions and most offer PD (public domain) libraries with Apple
/// software. There is only one User Group that still supports
the Apple ///:

Check out WAP PD disks 3INF-01 through 15, as well as
3WAP01-10 for lots of Apple /// information files on disk. These
include past articles from many Apple /// UG newsletters and
magazines.

* INTERNET

Apple's World Wide Web page (http://www.apple.com) offers some Apple /// services
- Apple /// tech notes are available for download. There are also
a number of sites around the Web that offer this FAQ and some
other Apple /// Information - including one specifically about
using the Apple /// to access the Internet. There is also an
Apple /// discussion group for the Apple /// community. To
subscribe, send a message to majordomo@altair.com with
the text:

subscribe apple3-l

in the body of your message.

You'll get info back at that point. Send comments or
suggestions to:jeff@altair.com.
(THANKS to Jeff Fritz at West Virgina Univ. for hosting this
Listserve for many years.)

One other place to go is the Apple // Discussion area, a
Usenet newgroup on the Internet. Check out the Comp.Sys.Apple2
board - whereApple ///ers lurk and answer questions on occasion.
This FAQ is also posted there from time to time.

You can also check out Washington Apple Pi's web page at http://www.wap.org where we offer a
growing list of Apple /// resources. The primary offering is a
searchable FM Pro Data Base of virtually all Apple /// articles,
compiled by Dave Ottalini.

11) WHERE CAN I FIND PUBLIC DOMAIN SOFTWARE?

WAP is your best bet for PD offerings - there are some 250+
disks. Costs for the software is minimal and the selection is
excellent. There are some unique offerings along with many of the
"old standbys." You will get a better deal on PD
software by joining WAP.
Most disks are double-sided and self-booting. WAP is the only
User Group that still supports the /// and its Public Domain
Library. Software is also available on the WAP TCS - an 8 system
BBS that includes a complete file download library - offering
Apple /// Programs, Information and Essentials (members only).
Members can also download programs from WAP's Internet site at http://www.wap.org.

Sun Remarketing continues to support the Apple ///, tho its
emphasis has long since moved on to the Macintosh. However, they
do offer some products. They have a large selection of ///
commercial software and hardware (including parts) at mostly
decent prices.

Sun at one time offered nationwide service for the ///
community. Call to see if they are still doing that.

I have NOT checked recently to see if the folks below still
offer anything Apple /// related but they have in the past. IF
you know of any other sources, let me know and we'll update this
FAQ.

B&R Computer Services
PO Box 7195
San Diego, CA. 92167
(619)-225-8281

B&R Computer Services in San Diego had on hand a wide
range of old Apple /// commercial software at one point.

There are few (to no) sources left for repairs but be sure to
call the WAP office if you're a member, since the club has
experts that may be able to help you without the long-distance
charges. Also ask on the Apple /// Usenet board as there are
still folks who may be able to help you.

You can check these folks out to see if they still offer any
Apple ///-related services:

Washington Apple Pi, working with Dr. Stephen Buggie, has
developed a new, cheap power supply for the ///. This is an
outboard power supply, originally made for use in PCs. It works
great and supplies ample power for the /// and four slots worth
of cards. The cable from the new power supply snakes into the ///
from the back through the Slot 1 opening. It does NOT prevent the
use of a slot one card. The price is just $27.00 plus $5.00
postage to Dr. Stephen Buggie, Univ. of New Mexico, 200 College
Road, Gallup, NM. 87301. It's a little clungy but it does work.

15) ARE THERE ANY APPLE /// NEWSLETTERS OR MAGAZINES?

There are no publications remaining that offer Apple ///
articles on a reqular basis. Washington Apple Pi's
"Journal" does offer some articles on occasion.
However, It's available only to WAP members. On the other hand,
ALL Apple /// articles for more than 10 years are on disk and
available to all. Call the WAP office at 301-984-0300 or email to
office@wap.org for more details and costs.
On Three published an excellent magazine that came out for years.
It provided a wide range of reviews (usually of its own
products), beginners tutorials and a letters section. Back issues
are no longer available. WAP has been reprinting some of them,
however in its magazine over time.
You might also want to check out the WAP /// SIG PD Library,
which has on disk the entire set of newsletters from ATUNC - the
Apple /// Users of Northern California (3INF-06 through 11).
There are also disks with information from TAU - the Third Apple
Users Group of Wheaton, Illinois (3INF-05) and many more. Again,
you can search for specific articles in magazines or newsletters
at WAP's web page: http://www.wap.org.
The WAP library and some users still maintain sizeable
collections and may be able to help you find the article you're
looking for.

16) WHAT ABOUT APPLE /// BOOKS?

Only a few books were ever written about the Apple ///. There
are three specific books worth mentioning:

The Osborne/Mcgraw Hill Guide To Your Apple /// is the first
book on the list. The other two are by Eddie Adamis: Basic
Keywords for the Apple /// and Business Basic for the Apple ///.
The Guide covers only the Apple /// and not the Plus version. The
author is Stanley M. Miastokowski. It's a good, beginning- level
text for new /// owners and good to have for us older SARAsaurs
who've had their machines around for awhile. It has a good
overview of Business Basic and sections on the .Audio and .Grafix
drivers that are excellent. WAP is trying to get it placed into
the public domain.
The Adamis texts are straight-forward, no-nonsense books that
essentially describe Business Basic version 1.1, its key words
and provides examples.
The only other ///-specific book on the market at one point was
"Using Apple Business Computers"by Kenniston Lord Jr.
It discusses Business Basic from a number of perspectives and
includes lengthly Basic programs for business users.
Unfortunately, all these books are now out-of-print. But you may
still be able to find them at local new or used bookstores. WAP
members: All these books are available in the WAP library.

If you are a /// EZ Pieces user, you can check out any of the
older AppleWorks books in most libraries, since the two programs
(at least in earlier versions) shared the same file formats
(Appleworks 3.0 and 4.0 can read older AW or 3EAP files, but
there will be incompatibilities once those files have been worked
on and saved - especially with spreadsheet and data base
functions). There are also some excellent books out on Apple
Writerand Visicalc - which you might be able to find at your
local library or at a computer garage sale or Ham Fest.
Finally, Sun Remarketing offered a booklet at one time designed
to help Apple /// users diagnose and repair their machines.

17) WHAT ABOUT TECHNICAL MATERIALS?

Apple produced a /// Service Manual that includes schematics,
information, service tips, etc., along with a host of Technical
Notes. WAP has a copy of the Service Manual and can make copies
for those interested. The cost for a copy of the double-sided
manual (printing + P&H) is $75.00 (the manual is huge). All
the Apple /// Tech Notes are available on Apple's WWW home page -www.apple.com.
Dave Ottalini (Dave.Ottalini@tcs.wap.org)
has a hugh collection of Apple /// technical materials. Reprints
available for postage and a donation to WAP.

18) WHAT KIND OF COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE IS AVAILABLE?

There were a number of communications programs produced for
the Apple /// over the years, but there are three generally
considered to be the best:

a) Access /// Interp Version: An excellent assembly-language
terminal program that can provide VT100 emulation. Scripts can be
used to automate log-ons to Compuserve and other on-line
services. It does NOT offer Xmodem protocol. It is available in
the WAP /// SIG PD library as disk 3TEL-02 (which includes an
excellent Apple /// communications tutorial).

b) XMODEM /// is also in the WAP PD - an excellent stand-alone
telecom program that offers the user XMODEM Protocol for
error-free downloads and uploads. In the WAP PD it's disk
3TEL-05. Manual is on disk.

c) The Communications Manager was aprogramfrom On Three that
is no longer available commercially. It is the best ///
communications program ever produced and offers a host of
features, including XModem and turbo downloading capabilities. It
can be run as a stand-alone program or as a Desktop Manager
module.

Please see the Apple /// Communications FAQ (by Al Bloom and
others) for more details about telecommunications on the Apple
///.

19) WHAT ABOUT MODEMS?

You can connect just about any speed modem to the ///, but the
terminal programs above have settings that only go up to 9600
baud. Your best bet is to use a 2400 baud or 14,400 baud modem -
they will work fine and are very inexpensive (get one at a
computer garage sale or your local user group).

20) CAN THE APPLE /// ACCESS THE INTERNET?

You bet! The /// and its communications software is definitely
equal to the task of accessing an Internet host to "surf the
Internet". In fact, internet access via the /// is both
viable and enjoyable. The lack of graphics seldom is a barrier.
The world's most popular Internet hosts are still Unix computer
systems. Unix systems have traditionally integrated well into the
Internet, andplenty of text- based Internet software is available
on these hosts toenable your Apple /// to become a powerful
Internet surfer.

21) WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO SURF THE INTERNET WITH THE ///?

In most areas of the United States, Internet host access is
available for an
inexpensive monthly fee. Similar service for similar prices can
be found in most places in the world. Normally called
"shell" access, an Internet provider generates an
account for you on their host(s). Then, using the Apple ///, a
modem, and a communications program such as Access /// or The
Communications Manager, you call into their host and begin using
the programs above in any combination to explore the Internet. In
some areaspopular systems known as FreeNets are available. These
offer free,text-based access to the Internet and generally have
the samecapabilities as any other Internet host. Please see the
A3 Internet FAQ for more information.

22) WHAT WAS THE APPLE /// SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FUND?

Established by Washington Apple Pi, the SDF was used to fund
specific software projects for the ///. Through donations and
contributions from WAP and ATUNC (the now defunct Apple Three
Users of Northern California), the SDF helped fund the
development of a Superdrive driver and BOS3 - the first upgrade
to SOS in some 10 years. Other projects to be completed was a
universal SCSI driver that works with the Syquest EZ Drive and
most all SCSI drives (one notable exception - the Iomega ZIP
drive because of the way it was built) and a replacement outboard
power supply.
The SDF (through WAP) also continues to provide encouragement and
support to programmers working on Apple // projects thought to
have an Apple /// application as well.

23) ARE THERE ANY APPLE /// WEB SITES?

There are sites that include pictures of the Apple /// as part
of a larger history of Apple Computer. Some folks also have ///
sections of their web sites devoted to the ///. The best way to
find them is to do a Yahoo or other search engine search under
Apple ///.

24) WHAT'S NEW WITH THE ///?

*An Apple /// emulation mode for the Macintosh is apparently
still being
developed. Chris Smolinski (cps@access.digex.net)
is heading up this project
with WAP support. He says he decided to write the emulation
program because:

I thought one for the /// would be very interesting. I also
hope it will help to preserve what's left of the ///
"universe" by encouraging people to at least make disk
images of the various programs." Watch the WAP Web page at http://www.wap.orgas well as the
Apple /// listserve (see above) for the latest information.

I am going to start writing the "C'for the Apple /// soon
(November, 1997): the Kernel to the C will be in assembler ,
based on the tiny Cwith an integrated editor. The whole thing
will be an integrated development environment. I am hoping to
have working alpha release done by March 1 1998.

There has been little movement on this project either, as far
as we can tell.

25) OK - I'M STUMPED - WHAT IS A SARASAUR?

Anyone who still loves the Apple /// as a great computer! That
includes folks all over the world - from Japan to Puerto Rico,
Washington DC, Detroit,the San Francisco Bay area and many places
in between. We invite you to join us!